Federal Aviation Administration February 1, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 777-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment, and doing other specified actions. The actions include removing the cabin system control panel (CSCP) core partition software, the cabin area control panel (CACP) operational program software (OPS), the zone management units (ZMU) OPS, and the cabin system management unit (CSMU) OPS; installing OPS for the CSCP, CACP, ZMU, and CSMU; and installing the new configuration database (CDB). This proposed AD would also require installing a new CSCP; installing a new cabin management system (CMS) CDB; and installing new OPS for the CSCP, ZMU, passenger address controller, cabin interphone controller, CACP, speaker drive module, overhead electronics units, and seat electronics unit. This proposed AD results from an IFE systems review. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment in the event of smoke or flames. The flightcrew's inability to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non-essential electrical systems in the event of smoke or flames could result in the inability to control smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or passenger cabin during a non-normal or emergency situation.

The FAA proposes to amend the airport certification standards in part 139. This action would establish minimum standards for training of personnel who access the airport non-movement area (ramp and apron) to help prevent accidents and incidents in that area. A certificate holder would be required to conduct pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions. This action would also require a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts low visibility operations. The plan would facilitate the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions. Finally, this action would clarify the applicability of part 139 and explicitly prohibit fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained.

This action amends Class E airspace at La Porte, IN, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at La Porte Hospital Heliport, La Porte, IN. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the heliport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Richmond, IN, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Reid Hospital Heliport, Richmond, IN. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the heliport.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: